So... California!

I recently returned from a trip to Southern California.  (I've been thinking about this trip since August 6th at 10:40 or so in the morning.)  I go every year.  As I said in the previous post, I go to Disneyland, Amoeba, & to visit some great people.  I get asked, "Why?"  My response, "Why not!"  It's always hard for me to leave California.  If you ask my California friends, one of the first things I text to them upon landing is, "I'm home."  I feel so different when I'm there.  I think it stems from not EVER living outside of Utah & sorta being in the bubble.  I've always been one to want to be different.  LA area grants me the opportunity to be in total obscurity.  To me, this make sense.  It's early & A LOT could happen between now & then, but I'm 50/ 50 I'll be moving outside Utah upon graduation.

Things done in California...

Amoeba...  Check...  Walked off the plane & headed straight there.  We (Lin, MelLed, & I) got there a little before 10pm.  (Saw people protesting "Murder Music".  )  That gave us a little more than an hour.  I had $120 dollars burning a hole in my pocket.  Honestly, I was a little rushed, but came out under budget.  Gems found...  The Nerves, Noisettes, The New Pornographers: Mass Romantic & Electric Version, The Ramones: It's Alive, & a Rocket from the Crypt 45 (SCORE!).  I walked out about $10 under budget.

Me outside with my goodness.

In & Out...  Check...  Something about In & Out for me.  It was the 1st meal upon arriving on 23rd Birthday.  It synonymous with my first trip to Disneyland.  To me, the two go hand in hand.  I can still here Tim say, "I don't like the fries."  To which I said, "Whaaaat?"  I can't not eat there when I'm in California.  The fact In & Out is coming to Utah...  I'm gonna try my damnedest to only eat there when in California.  PS...  They have Dr. Pepper.  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...   Take that Mr. Pib or as I say Mr. SHIT!

Disneyland...  CHECK...  What can I say?  I truly love this place.  A couple of things to make your visit more fun...  Embrace the fact you may stand in line for up to 2 hours for a ride.  Enjoy the fact you're there.  I go with kids now & just seeing there reaction to everything is priceless.  There eyes are as big a saucers.  Mine, TOO.  There's so much to see.  Details are not missed at Disneyland.  Take a look around.  Or try playing a game of Monopoly on a friends phone.  This passed time for Lin, MelLed, & I waiting for the greatest ride ever...   Space Effing Mountain!  Fun beyond comparison.  Two things happen for me...  I pretty much giggle the whole time on the ride.  It's been that way since the 1st time.  (I have witnesses.)  Second, I yell as loud as I can, "THANK YOU DISNEYLAND!" upon exiting.  Uncle Walt does not disappoint.

My fave picture...  Norah, Jake, & us all standing in line for Toy Story.  Amazing ride...

The last day was a lot of laziness.  Returning from Disneyland was a lot later than expected & we all had breakfast with Mema & Kathy.  I have put in a request to see these people the last few times I've gone down, but illness & timing haven't allowed it to happen.  It was good to see them.  Words can't describe them.  Another thing that happened on my first trip & I want to happen every time.  The rest of the day was spent at Kathy's.  I napped.  I was worn out.  I feel bad.  I slept longer than I needed, but I don't function on so little sleep.  (It's 3:37 am now.  Damn insomnia.)  After eating some pizza, Lin & I went to see The Ettes.  I mentioned I saw them in SLC.  Talking to them there; I wanted to see them again.  They put on an amazing show once again.  No, they didn't play my song as promised, but I'm not one to complain.  It was fun to go out with Lin & just absorb this part of life we both love & embrace with everything we've got.

There was a lot packed into 3-4 days.  I will be returning next year.  You all are welcome to join in the fun.  I'm counting down the days...  352 or so. 

Time passing...

Sorry for the delay in things.  School has been a lot of work.  I'm physically, mentally, & emotionally drained.  A few things have happened, let's get you up to speed...  In no particular order...

1st:  I got to meet my "Man Crush" at Modest Mouse.  I went to see The Night Marchers.  Them & them alone.  (I'm music snob.  Hey, I paid my $40.)  John Reis is a hero   Anything he does turns to gold.  There isn't anything he's been apart of that I don't like.   He came over to the merch table while I was there.  I thanked him for everything & that he got me through a ruff time in my life.  Here's my favorite song...

 

2nd:  Homecoming...  I got to spend the majority of my time entrenched in Aggie activities.  Culminating in the football game.

3rd:  I got to see one of my Top Ten bands:  The Get Up Kids.  They returned from hiatus to celebrate the 10 Anniversary of Something to Write Home About.  This album means so much to me.  This album has linked me to some of my best friends, Aaron, Jason, Wade, Jon, Beaver, & Spencer.  But also, with my friend Drew, who's no longer with us.  We went down to SLC in 1999 & saw these men perform in the Basement of DV8 (Also, no longer with us.).  I could feel him there with Jason, Aaron, Mel, Ingrid & I.  Ingrid is another friend I adore greatly.  I could not look at her, or I would have balled my eyes out.  Just thinking about it, tears start to well up.

Imagine me singing & dancing the whole time.

4th:  Jason & I went to Sunny Day Real Estate.  Amazing!  Let's hope they stay together long enuff to put out another album.

5th:  I finished my Aggie Experience Passport.  What is this?  It's designed to get students out & about to activities on campus.  I've been to Science Unwrapped, The Blood Battle, Major Fair, & Autumn Voices.  I mention the last one specifically.  It was amazing.  I ran into a new friend TJ from Harlem, New York.  He mentioned this to me & thet he was performing.  AMAZING!  Imagine me in my seat bobbing my head.  I couldn't contain myself.  Well done.  I'll be going again & again.

6th:  I got to see & meet The Ettes.  Who, you ask?  Let me introduce you...

This is CoCo...  She's the singer & guitar player.  She was so nice.  After the set, I went to buy my merch.  (I pretty much buy merch at every show.  How do bands get to the next town?  A lot of it depends on the sale of merch.)  I started talking to the bass player & she comes out says, "What's your name?"  Uh...  "Tom"  "Hi Tom, I'm CoCo."  I'm smitten.  We talk for some time.  I mean my crush has developed from the time I pick up the Shake the Dust record at Amoeba.  It was crush at first sight.  Now, I think I own everything.  I may be missing some import stuff.

This is Jem...  He plays bass.  I talked to him first on January 28, 2009.  (It's my bros B-Day.  That's how I remember.)  So nice.  Seriously one of the coolest people.

And this is Poni...  The drummer.  She hits soooooo damn hard.  She's incredible.  Beautiful.  

Can you see why I'm a fan?  But they also rock.  I can't stop listening to their new album.  It's kicking my ass.

7th:  I head out to California on Thursday.  I'm so excited.  I've been waiting for this moment since August.  I can't believe it's here.  Get me to Disneyland STAT.  But along the way, Amoeba, The Ettes show, Kathy & MeMa.  More craziness than you can imagine.  But more than anything, I can't wait to see Lin, Mel, Norah, & Tommy AND John, Kelsi, Jake, Georgia, & the bun in the oven.  They are the true reasons for all my trips to California.  Oh, I better not forget my partner in crime every year, Mel Led!  Always so eager to go with me.  Thanks Mel.